Bioinformatic tools for whole genome analysis of helminth parasites

KAMENETZKY, L.

Congreso; Argentine Congress of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; 2022

Whole genome sequences provideextraordinary information about any organism. Despite the globalimpact, both medically and economically of helminthic infections these parasite genomes are underrepresented in genomicdatabases. The first genome sequence from a parasitic helminth was publishedin 2007, since then only ~200 genomes are availablemost of them being draft assemblies. Our work centers in complete genomesequencing of neglected parasitic helminthes. Recently, we sequenced thecomplete genome of Echinococcuscanadensis (G7) and compared it with Echinococcusmultilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus (G1) genomes. Comparativegenomics allowed us to confirm the status of E. canadensis (G7) as a separate speciesand demonstrated a high nucleotide sequences divergence in relation to E. granulosus (G1). This result wasunexpected since both parasite species are considered to belong to the samespecies complex: Echinococcus granulosussensu lato. At present there is no unequivocal taxonomic classification of Echinococcus species thereforeadditional Cestode genomes are needed to be sequenced. In this regard, wesequence Echinococcus oligarthrusgenome to  and reconstruct Echinococcus phylogeny by whole genomeSNPs analysis. Also, in an international consortium we are sequencingEchinococcusvogeli and re sequencing Echinococcus spp. form several host andgeographical regions. Moreover, we are also sequencing the genome of the giantkidney worm Dioctophyma renale, the largest parasitic nematode ofterrestrial vertebrates described so far which affects domestic animals,endangered wildlife, and humans. With this foundational project we aimed toobtain complete information about Clade I nematodes which is the least studiedgroup of this phylum.